FRANKFORT, Ky. — Gov. Andy Beshear announced the nine recipients of the commonwealth’s most prestigious art awards, the Governor’s Awards in the Arts, in recognition of their dedication to sharing Kentucky’s rich art history with all Kentuckians.
“The arts are transformational, and these Kentucky artists and organizations have used their talents to tell the stories of our commonwealth and lift every community through their work,” Gov. Beshear said. “I want to congratulate the nine honorees and thank them for their commitment to our commonwealth and people.”
The Governor’s Awards in the Arts comprises nine categories that celebrate the extraordinary and significant contributions of Kentuckians and Kentucky organizations to the state’s arts heritage.
The honorees will be recognized in a ceremony at 10 a.m., Jan. 10, in the Capitol Rotunda in Frankfort.
The Kentucky Arts Council solicits nominations and coordinates award presentations on behalf of the Governor of Kentucky. The 2022 Governor’s Awards in the Arts recipients are:
- Milner Award – Kaye Savage Browning, Mason County
- Artist Award – Amanda Matthews, Fayette County
- Business Award – Independence Bank, Graves County
- Community Arts Award – Murray Art Guild, Calloway County
- Education Award – Nan Moore, Jefferson County
- Folk Heritage Award – Maxine Ray, Warren County
- Government Award – Kentucky Native American Heritage Commission, Franklin County
- Media Award – Morgan Cook Atkinson, Jefferson County
- National Award – Bobby Osborne, Leslie County native
Each year, the arts council commissions a Kentucky artist to create custom works of art to serve as the award for recipients. The artist creates 10 awards – nine for the recipients and one for the Kentucky Arts Council’s permanent collection. Mercer County Navajo flute maker Fed Nez-Keams created the 2022 Governor’s Awards in the Arts.
The Kentucky Arts Council, which recommends honorees to the Governor, accepts nominations for the Governor’s Awards in the Arts annually.
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